Women’s Basketball Unveils 2011-12 Schedule

Oct 14, 2011

SAINT LEO, Fla. – Coach Nikki Jessee has announced the Saint Leo women's basketball team's 2011-12 regular season schedule. In total, the Lions have 26 games on tap, including 16 at the friendly confines of the Marion Bowman Activities Center.

In addition, the Lions will compete one mid-season tournament, as well as 16 Sunshine State Conference games.

The regular season will be followed by the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, which is set for February 29 – March 4, 2012 from the Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Fla. (Hosted by Florida Southern College).

About the 2011-12 schedule Jessee stated, "Our schedule presents some tough challenges as we play perennial NCAA tournament participants Valdosta State at home and Delta State at a neutral site, and we will be tested early as we open up with Gulf South member West Florida. We also play Alabama Huntsville before Christmas who is another regional opponent. With a predominantly home schedule early, the stars could align for us to surprise some teams.

Outside a trip to Lakeland, Fla. to compete in Florida Southern's FSC Classic, December 18-19, Saint Leo will spend the entire first two months of the regular season on their home court. The Lions will open their regular season on Friday, November 11 against the University of West Florida.

Saint Leo will then open its SSC slate on Saturday, December 31, as they play host to Lynn in a New Years Eve showdown. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.

The Lions will get their first true taste of the road on Wednesday, January 4, when they clash with the Spartans at 5:30 p.m. It will also mark the first contest between Coach Jessee and her husband, Tom Jessee, the head coach at the University of Tampa.

Saint Leo will wrap-up its home regular season schedule with a senior day showdown with Eckerd on Wednesday, February, 22. Opening tip is set for 5:30 p.m.

The final regular season contest will come in Miami Shores, Fla. when the Lions travel to Barry to challenge the Buccaneers on Saturday, February, 25.

"We're excited about this season, and the future of our program. We have a solid foundation, and with a few missing pieces to fill in the blanks, we could have a very good year," concluded Jessee.